It's Time to Check That S'more off Your Summer List

Have you had your summer s'mores experience yet? Because roasting the marshmallows over a campfire is a key s'mores activity, we usually associate them with summer and a certain brand of childhood nostalgia. Somehow, summer hasn't really happened unless we've pulled out the marshmallow roasting sticks and built ourselves a fire. (Apartment dwellers don't need to feel left out, though — I've roasted many a delicious marshmallow over my gas stove with great results.)

S'mores first crept into human consciousness in the 1920s when they were a part of the American scouting tradition, a delicious campfire treat. They remained popular through several generations until Pintrest arrived a few years ago, and then the s'mores obsession exploded. Now you can s'more nearly everything from pies and cakes to alternative flavors such as strawberry and Key lime.

You can stay simple and classic, with store-bought graham crackers and chunks of broken chocolate bars, and you will be just fine. Or you can take it to the next level with homemade crackers and finer chocolate (including my favorite, Nutella), or even alternative flavors such as lemon curd (lemon meringue pie s'mores!).

Part of the fun of s'mores, and something you should not fight, is that they're messy to eat. The graham cracker crumbles, the chocolate melts and smears, and the marshmallow oozes. You will likely have to lick your fingers, perhaps even your wrist. Again, this is where the fun is, so give into it.